Tracy Evans Tindal, Sr.

Tracy Evans Tindal, Sr, spouse of Mary Ann Shier Tindal, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his residence in North Charleston after lengthy illnesses.  He was 73 years old.      Tracy was born in Charleston on Nov 2, 1943, the fourth son of Washington Furman Tindal and Tracy Margaret Evans Tindal.  He grew up in the Bay Front community of James Island with Ellis Creek as his playground. After graduating from James Island High School, Tracy attended Clemson University where he received a BS in Textile Science in 1966.  While at Clemson he was a member of ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the US Army upon his graduation from Clemson.Tracy served two years in the Army, one year at Ft. Bragg and one year in Vietnam.  During his tenure in Vietnam he served with the Corps of Engineers attached to the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. He was a reconnaissance officer, flying daily to assess damage of infrastructure from enemy attacks.  For his meritorious service he was awarded the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star.His 30-year career in the textile industry began after the Army, where Tracy became a well-known and respected leader.  He was innovative, hard-working, and fair in his dealings with everyone.  He was employed by Burlington Industries, Springs Mills, and Cannon; he ended his career as President of Schlafhorst, Inc based in Charlotte, NC.In his private life Tracy enjoyed many activities and hobbies over the years.  He played tennis and racquetball; he enjoyed bridge and poker.  One thing that did not change over the years was Tracy’s love of the water.  Perhaps rooted in his early days playing in Ellis Creek, Tracy almost always had a boat (or two).  He loved to fish, whether for bass in a pond or sport fish in the ocean.  He enjoyed vegetable gardening and practicing being a farmer at his home Bridgewater in Rock Hill, SC.  He followed college sports and enjoyed golf. He earned his pilot’s license and purchased a 4-seater Cessna to commute to a job in Georgia in order to keep his word to his sons not to move them until they finished high school.   Tracy loved animals and the family had many pets over the years.  Tracy always wanted to own a horse and he wanted to raise goats.  These two things he never did as he allowed good sense to rule. Early in his life, at St James Church on James Island, Tracy served as an acolyte and was especially proud of the times he carried the cross in the processionals.  He mentioned this several times as an adult.  He served his church in varied roles as long as his health permitted.  He was active at St Ann’s in Charlotte and at St Anne’s in Rock Hill.  He is currently a member of Church of the Nativity on Folly Rd.  Tracy chose St Jude as his patron saint when he was confirmed into the Catholic Church in 1974.  His choice reflects Tracy’s attitude toward any problem-nothing is impossible, nothing is hopeless. Always smiling, Tracy was an excellent example of a Christian gentleman.  He never preached the Gospel; he lived it.In addition to his parents, Tracy was predeceased by his brother Furman Dorrill Tindal of Charleston and his wife Dorothy Black Tindal.  Brothers Robert Leroy Tindal of Horse Creek California and Charles Harvey Tindal of Flat Rock, NC also predeceased him.Survivors include Mary Ann, his wife of almost 53 years;  his son Tracy Evans Tindal Jr and his wife Melonie Williams Tindal of Cheraw, SC;  his son Kevin Michael Tindal and his wife Tamee Scott Tindal of Rock Hill, SC;  Granddaughters Jaelyn Elizabeth Tindal of Macon, GA and Rock Hill, SC, Jodee Rose Tindal of Rock Hill, SC, and Jessica Shier Tindal of Cheraw, SC.  Other survivors are sisters-in-law Frances Crosby Tindal and Joan LaBarbera Tindal; nephews Michael Tindal  and Charles Mark Tindal; nieces Traci Louise Tindal and Cheryl Tindal Steele and mother-in-law Evelyn Ruth Shier Thomas.  Several cousins also survive.The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Evans Tindal, Sr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM Monday, April 24, 2017 at Nativity Catholic Church, 1061 Folly Road. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road. The family will receive friends 3:00 PM-5:00 PM, Sunday afternoon at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. A Vigil Service will be held at 4:30 PM. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Nativity Catholic Church.